Image of Johanna Rickne and Olle Folke, receiver of Assar Lindbeck Medal 2023. Photo Johanna: Marcus Marcetic/Wallenberg Foundation.

A central focus of Olle Folke and Johanna Rickne's research is the study of the backgrounds and characteristics of politicians. This has been challenging due to the lack of complete data on the backgrounds and characteristics of politicians. Folke and Rickne have addressed this issue by utilizing unique data on individuals who have run for office in Swedish elections, which they have then linked to Swedish registry data. Their innovative use of registry data has revealed important patterns in the data that have inspired other researchers and contributed to a new research program on political selection, not only in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries but also internationally, such as in Brazil, Italy, Nepal, and the USA, states the National Economic Association in their press release.

After many years of collaboration, we are thrilled about this award," say Johanna Rickne and Olle Folke upon receiving the news.

The research of Olle Folke and Johanna Rickne is widely cited and has had a significant academic impact in both economic and political science research.

The award honors Assar Lindbeck's diverse and groundbreaking contributions to economic research and is presented every two years to a researcher under 45 years of age in Sweden who has made a significant contribution to economic thinking and knowledge. The prize committee for the Assar Lindbeck Medal for the year 2023 consists of Professor Olof Johansson-Stenman (chairman), University of Gothenburg, Professor Lena Edlund, Columbia University, and Professor David Strömberg, Stockholm University.

Read more about Johanna Rickne 

Read more about Johanna Ricknes research here